TEE Cfumfea IT* a ter. TUESDAY. JANUARY 30, 1804. THE PUBLIC tYOPvKS POLICY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2614, 30 January 1894, Page 2

TEE Cfumfea IT* a ter. TUESDAY. JANUARY 30, 1804. THE PUBLIC tYOPvKS POLICY.

No man has ever been worse treated in New Zealand than Sir Julius Vogel. He was the first man to infuse the spark of life into this colony by the introduction of his Public Works policy 24 years ago, and though greed and selfishness marred tho usefulness of that measure to a certain extent, it is certain that it gave New Zealand its first impetus in the devel 'priient of its resources. This policy made the fortunes of many who have since denounced its author. But, though badly treated, nothing appears to damp Sir Julius’ enthusiasm as regards New Zealand, In season and out of season, he never loses an opportunity of extolling the excellence of this colony, and of pointing out to the British people her great resources. His latest effort in this direction was a paper which he read in the imperial Institute, London, <m the 14th of December last, and in which he gave a bird’s eye view of tho history, growth, and development of the colony. Dealing with early history, he reminded England that she deserted the settlers of New Zealand in a very critical time. Had Te Kooti, Titokowaru, and other chiefs joined their forces then the results would have been very serious for New Zealanders, and it was at this moment England deserted them, and left them to fight their own battle. This was not a pleasant thing for English ears to listen to, but it was something that a New Zealand might well be pardoned for recalling to their memory. It shows that we are not so heavily indebted to England as she would wish us to believe. After referring to tlie early history of the colony, Sir Julius took up the Public Works policy of 1870, and placed it in a new and interesting light. He said : “ It has often been said and written that the public works policy was the outcome of a speculative desire to obtain the expenditure of a large quantity of borrowed money for the gain that expenditure would bestow, leaving to chance subsequent consequences. I will tell you the ival facts, and I think I may say there are oul; two or three men now livjug who can speak with equal authority. The j.qblh works policy seemed to the Qovernnp.-ufc the solo alternative to a war of extermination with the Natives, it compri-ed the construction of railways and roads, and the introduction of a large numberof European immigrant!. The Government argued that if they o mid increase the peculation of the North’lsland and open up the ” ,pa Q3 of communication ihppngh the island, and at the same tjmo give employment to the Maoris, and make their lauds really va’uable, they would render impossible any future war on a large scale, Tucy rwognisod that in point of Immauitarianism tlmr.: was no comparison between tho peaceful an.) warlike alternatives. They considered also that, financially, it was infinitely preferable to spend largo rpms on permanent development, fo expending iqua), or probably larger amounts on issues of warfare. Up to the date of tho withdrawal of the troops, the eolony had expended £H,7O(),(K.ki upon matters relating to native difficulties, without reckoning interest on the larue sums which had been obtained by 1 > •' n '■ The Imperial expenditure from the Treaty of Waiting! to IS7U was upwards of £(>,700,000, so that over £ 10,000,000 sterling had been expended. You will see, therefore, that there are strong grounds for believing tlftt from bta financial apart iryw tka ku- '

manitarian, point of view, the policy of settlemenb was most desirable. The intimation at nearly the end of the year 1869 of the positive recall of the troops created a great panic. There was no cable communication at the time, but General Chute took the responsibility of detaining the force until communication could be had with England. Parliament passed resolutions asking for the permanent location of a regiment of soldiers in New Zealand at the cost of the colony. The late Dr Featherston and Sir F. Dillon 801 l were appointed Commissioners to negotiate with the Home Government. They were apprised of the determination of the colonial Cabinet to try the effects of a policy of public works and immigration as the course most desirable to effect the pacification of the North Island, and they were directed to ascertain what assisstauce the Imperial Government would furnish. Some of my hearers, who do not remember what took place, will suppose that Downing street at once replied that the British Government would defray the cost of the immigration and of the leading railways in the North Island. ButDowningstreet did nothingoi the kind. You may be sure there was no lack of ability to urge the case of the colony by the eminent and able commissioners I have named. Yet all they could procure, and that after a great deal of haggiin <, was a guarantee by the Imperial Government of a million sterling of 4 per cent, debentures. It is significant that since that date the colony has obtained a premium on its own unguaranteed securities bearing 4 per cent, interest, and has even borrowed at a slight discount at per cent. - In the halcyon days of the future, when statesmen will omy be guided by equity and' justice, we may expect that Chancellors of the Exchequer will, out of any savings they can effect, forward anonymous gifts of conscience money to New Zealand.” This is a new view of a much debated incident in our history, and points out clearly the wisdom which prompted this great measure. The few scattered settlers in New Zealand, finding themselves deserted by the Mother Country, and exposed to the risk of being murdered, as some of them were, by the natives, determined on introducing population into the colony so as to be able to cope with their tierce opponents. How often has the “ sugar-aud-blauket ” policy adopted towards the natives been condemned ? Yet now, in the light which Sir Julius Vogel has thrown on the history of the time, no one can doubt that it was the wisest thing that could be done. As will be seen £3,700,000 had been spent on war without good results. The conciliatory policy adopted under the Public Works Act of 1870 subjected a race which British bayonets had only irritated, and left us a peaceable and happy country. This alone is a result of which Sir Julius Vogel may well feel proud, and ought to earn for him the eternal gratitude of colonists.